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A chemical manufactured in the past by the 3M Co. has shown up in the municipal drinking-water wells of several cities in Washington and Dakota counties. A health advisor stated that the low-level traces of the chemical known as perfluorobutanoic acid is not harmful at the present, but long-term exposure to the chemical is unknown.

Many of the tens of thousands of residents are concerned with how long it will take to clean the city wells of the chemical. Officials suggested installing water filters or using bottled water for their drinking and cooking needs until the problem is solved.